Wayne Rooney lands a new manager's job after DC United exit

The former Manchester United captain has sealed a new job after leaving MLS club DC United this week.

Wayne Rooney has been appointed as the new manager of Birmingham City on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

The 37-year-old has joined the Championship club after leaving MLS side D.C. United on Sunday. He steps into the seat vacated by John Eustace, who was dismissed on Monday.

“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Birmingham City Football Club at such an exciting time,” Rooney said in a statement.

“It is very clear that they have a plan and are committed to realizing their ambition for the club. We are fully aligned on what is expected.”

Rooney brings with him a team of experienced coaches. These include Ashley Cole, John O’Shea, Carl Robinson, and Pete Shuttleworth. Maik Taylor remains as the Goalkeeper Coach.

Notably, both Cole and O’Shea will continue in their coaching roles with their respective national teams.

What other clubs has Rooney coached?

Rooney previously managed Derby County in the Championship from 2020 to 2022. Despite the club’s FFP sanctions and transfer embargo, he guided the Rams to safety in his first season. He took on the role of D.C. United’s head coach in June 2022 after Derby’s relegation.

The former Manchester United and England captain recorded 14 wins, 13 draws, and 26 defeats in 53 games in charge of the Washington-based team. He left on Sunday by mutual consent after their failure to reach the MLS play-offs.

Birmingham City, currently ranked fifth in the Championship with 18 points from 11 games, are in the promotional play-offs. The team is 10 points away from an automatic promotion spot to the Premier League.

They last competed in the Premier League in 2011.

Rooney will make his debut in the Blues dugout on October 21 when Birmingham visit Middlesbrough in the Championship.

“Wayne Rooney” by l3o_ is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.